So, we will be back, normally after Quincy City Council Debacle, err meetings. So no need to read the rantings of Took-a-licious. Or the left leanings of the of ABC.
Bring on the comments about my sabbatical, we just know that the content here is better than most.
And someone has to hold Doogie and Rodster accountable.
We rarely watch KHQA so don't expect much comment about their material. But They do have a nice new new set.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Utility RATE Relief? Not So Fast
Well there is way too much to talk about from the city council meeting. Heir Copely spending more money, on things he does not need, to impress people he does not like. What the H do they need a truck for?
Dougy Fresh Wilson (DFW) writes a story that for the life of me I don't know why is on the front page. Once again DFW writes a story but really has know idea what is really going on. There are 250 pages to this agreement between the state and the utilty companies, and I am guessing DFW has read zero of those pages. There is a bunch of wondering about how this will really happen and who will get what? And DFW answers none of those questions. But with a little work you can get the answers... here is what we found when we read the proposed document/agreement that was posted briefly on Emil Jones website. The agreement is very convoluted and will not be dispensed in a timely fashion. It will not be as simple as.......you used this many kilowatt hours so here is your refund. At the top of the list for refunds are major corporations and they are listed by the amount of electric they use and sited as examples in the agreement. No one and I mean no individual will see an actual reduction in the rate per kilowatt hour that they are paying for their current utility bill, it is simply not in the agreement. Large corporations may negotiate their rate but a city like Quincy will not be able to negotiate a rate for the citizens. And you as a citizen have no choice but to use the company that you have and pay the rate that is set. The so called rate relief is nothing of the kind. What you will have is a small credit or refund check that will be spread out over the next 4 years, that basically you are paying for with the higher utility rate. So the headline in DFW's story is an out and out falsehood..Let me say this so it can be understood......YOUR ELECTRIC RATE PER KILOWATT HOUR WILL NOT GO DOWN. See how much the utility companies donate to politicians and you will get physically ill.
Dougy Fresh Wilson (DFW) writes a story that for the life of me I don't know why is on the front page. Once again DFW writes a story but really has know idea what is really going on. There are 250 pages to this agreement between the state and the utilty companies, and I am guessing DFW has read zero of those pages. There is a bunch of wondering about how this will really happen and who will get what? And DFW answers none of those questions. But with a little work you can get the answers... here is what we found when we read the proposed document/agreement that was posted briefly on Emil Jones website. The agreement is very convoluted and will not be dispensed in a timely fashion. It will not be as simple as.......you used this many kilowatt hours so here is your refund. At the top of the list for refunds are major corporations and they are listed by the amount of electric they use and sited as examples in the agreement. No one and I mean no individual will see an actual reduction in the rate per kilowatt hour that they are paying for their current utility bill, it is simply not in the agreement. Large corporations may negotiate their rate but a city like Quincy will not be able to negotiate a rate for the citizens. And you as a citizen have no choice but to use the company that you have and pay the rate that is set. The so called rate relief is nothing of the kind. What you will have is a small credit or refund check that will be spread out over the next 4 years, that basically you are paying for with the higher utility rate. So the headline in DFW's story is an out and out falsehood..Let me say this so it can be understood......YOUR ELECTRIC RATE PER KILOWATT HOUR WILL NOT GO DOWN. See how much the utility companies donate to politicians and you will get physically ill.
Monday, July 9, 2007
Tort Fund....The School Board as it was in the 2003 knew they were on the wrong side of shady street when this accounting method was used. But the accountant at the time was using the old "but everbody else is doing it" rule. Somehow I don't remember learning that one in any of my accounting classes.
I recently posted on the School board's wreckless spending and wondered why they were spending this money and not setting aside for the eminent failure that was about to befall them. But know, they had to spend it before they even had it and now they need it and..you get the point. They borrowed $2.96 million dollars for a few projects and was going to pay it back with the 2007 levy...hmm guess where that money is going now.
I guess the Board will appeal this decision, they could not have been in a more favorable court, I am surprised that Slattery did not ask for this be heard in a court outside of Quincy.(maybe they can't) Nonetheless Judge Schuering did a courageous thing, and made a decision that will not set (or sit)well with some Quincy residents and officials.
Questions that I would like to know....Holly Wagner from the local paper reports that Slattery will recieve 1/3 of $70,000 dollars, that is about $23,000(so much for the school board telling the taxpayers that this guy is out to make a big chunk of change)
What the story did not say in the Whig or on any media outlet is how much the School District spent on attorney fees and who the attorney was that represented the district.
Holly Wagner also reports that all you have to do to get a cut of the 70 gs is to bring in your 2003 tax bill.
But I am left a bit confused with the whole issue and maybe you can help me out here. The School Board was spending money that was collected for another purpose. So they had this surplus of money piling up in the tort fund. When in fact what they should have done with this money was to realize that the residents were being overcharged and refunded the money. Instead they tried to cook the books or maybe I should say Koch the books and use the money to pay for some salaries of some of our teachers.
So the school board, that is trying to gain the trust of the public, just got a huge public flogging to it's image. It makes them look like they were trying to do something underhanded.
But we really don't have too much to worry about because the school board is hiring this firm that is going to tell them how to save a bunch of money on theur utility bills and that should make up for the 4 mil they can't use.
This is a painful lesson for the citizenry and the school district of Quincy......What now will we all see a lower tax bill next year or is this just a matter of wording things correctly so they can use the money for whatever they want. I feel the board's heart is in the right place, but man what a colosal screwup this is
I think the school board probably feels like this is a case when the right decision is wrong...
I always hear teachers complaining that they don't get paid what they are worth. Next we will tear in to a few of these teachers salaries and break it down in to hourly pay and we will see who is not being paid their due.
I can also count on one hand the truly interesting and engaging teachers that I had growing up in the QPS system.
I recently posted on the School board's wreckless spending and wondered why they were spending this money and not setting aside for the eminent failure that was about to befall them. But know, they had to spend it before they even had it and now they need it and..you get the point. They borrowed $2.96 million dollars for a few projects and was going to pay it back with the 2007 levy...hmm guess where that money is going now.
I guess the Board will appeal this decision, they could not have been in a more favorable court, I am surprised that Slattery did not ask for this be heard in a court outside of Quincy.(maybe they can't) Nonetheless Judge Schuering did a courageous thing, and made a decision that will not set (or sit)well with some Quincy residents and officials.
Questions that I would like to know....Holly Wagner from the local paper reports that Slattery will recieve 1/3 of $70,000 dollars, that is about $23,000(so much for the school board telling the taxpayers that this guy is out to make a big chunk of change)
What the story did not say in the Whig or on any media outlet is how much the School District spent on attorney fees and who the attorney was that represented the district.
Holly Wagner also reports that all you have to do to get a cut of the 70 gs is to bring in your 2003 tax bill.
But I am left a bit confused with the whole issue and maybe you can help me out here. The School Board was spending money that was collected for another purpose. So they had this surplus of money piling up in the tort fund. When in fact what they should have done with this money was to realize that the residents were being overcharged and refunded the money. Instead they tried to cook the books or maybe I should say Koch the books and use the money to pay for some salaries of some of our teachers.
So the school board, that is trying to gain the trust of the public, just got a huge public flogging to it's image. It makes them look like they were trying to do something underhanded.
But we really don't have too much to worry about because the school board is hiring this firm that is going to tell them how to save a bunch of money on theur utility bills and that should make up for the 4 mil they can't use.
This is a painful lesson for the citizenry and the school district of Quincy......What now will we all see a lower tax bill next year or is this just a matter of wording things correctly so they can use the money for whatever they want. I feel the board's heart is in the right place, but man what a colosal screwup this is
I think the school board probably feels like this is a case when the right decision is wrong...
I always hear teachers complaining that they don't get paid what they are worth. Next we will tear in to a few of these teachers salaries and break it down in to hourly pay and we will see who is not being paid their due.
I can also count on one hand the truly interesting and engaging teachers that I had growing up in the QPS system.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Love American Style
Patriotism means love of country (patria, in the Latin) and implies a readiness to sacrifice for it, to fight for it, perhaps even to give one’s life for it. In the traditional sense, patriots are those who love their country simply because it is their country--because it is their birthplace and the mansion of their fathers," as Alexis de Tocqueville put it in his Democracy in America. It is a kind of filial piety. Fortunately for Americans there are more reasons to love this country than just being born here and more reasons to be patriotic. We may not see "eye to eye" on all issues and we may express our patriotism differently but that is just another reason to love this place, America, the United States the place we all call home. Have a great Independence Day and remember that the fireworks are a celebration of our freedom and freedom is the reason for the celebration.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
K-9 Means $9000 or more
Once again we had our clandestined MicroMini Spy Bug V3.0 - model: MMSB-3 super secret microphones in operation and at the scene of a recent press conference. This one involves the QPD spending more money but you would not know it from the latest news coverage.
The players are officer Gibson(the Canine guy), our voice recognition also picked up what we thought was Forrest Gump but it was in fact Officer Gibson. Then there are a few reporters, we weren't sure if there were any reporters there because of the lack of questions coming from the press.....
Gibson: Thank you all for coming today, this is Uno, he is a Dutch Shepherd. I love dogs and my wife said it was okay because it is a big commitment.
Now all the money spent to train myself and get a new car and all the gear did not cost the taxpayers one dime. The $36,287 was all money raised by Citizens Academy.
Forrest Gump: When I first got him we were like peas and carrots.
Gibson: We had to get another dog because we went to 12 hours shifts.
he does some neat tricks and I have used him at the summer park program to entertain the kids. And my kids love playing with him too.
Well that about sums it up. Any questions?
Funion: How do you spell Uno?
end of press conference....
Questions that should have been asked but were not ...
Gibson says they had to get another dog because they went to 12 hour shifts and the other dog was not available. Besides the obvious WTF?question..How about; What do 12 hour shifts have to do with getting another dog?
#2 How many drug busts did Max make last month?
#3 What is the annual cost for one canine unit?
#4 Will the Citizens Academy pay for the new K-9 unit's cost over the life of the dogs service.
#5 With the dire need for a new K-9 unit how do you find the time to entertain the kids and do public relations instead of making drug busts?
#6 How much has been spent on vet bills?
#7 Wouldn't it be more economical to get a big SUV to drive around than the standard Monte Carlo, I mean with the price of gas and all?
I could go on but why? It just turns my stomach.
City officials budget like crack whores. I know it is provocative but it got your attention.
Crack whores screw people for money, spend more than they make, on a habit they can't kick, and think the payday loan place is a good deal. If that does not work they screw more people.
Please someone have some cajones and stand up for the little taxpayer. Yes, we need to be safe and we need a police department. But the Population of the city has not grown since the Motorola days and yet the police department is about twice the size. Why?
The players are officer Gibson(the Canine guy), our voice recognition also picked up what we thought was Forrest Gump but it was in fact Officer Gibson. Then there are a few reporters, we weren't sure if there were any reporters there because of the lack of questions coming from the press.....
Gibson: Thank you all for coming today, this is Uno, he is a Dutch Shepherd. I love dogs and my wife said it was okay because it is a big commitment.
Now all the money spent to train myself and get a new car and all the gear did not cost the taxpayers one dime. The $36,287 was all money raised by Citizens Academy.
Forrest Gump: When I first got him we were like peas and carrots.
Gibson: We had to get another dog because we went to 12 hours shifts.
he does some neat tricks and I have used him at the summer park program to entertain the kids. And my kids love playing with him too.
Well that about sums it up. Any questions?
Funion: How do you spell Uno?
end of press conference....
Questions that should have been asked but were not ...
Gibson says they had to get another dog because they went to 12 hour shifts and the other dog was not available. Besides the obvious WTF?question..How about; What do 12 hour shifts have to do with getting another dog?
#2 How many drug busts did Max make last month?
#3 What is the annual cost for one canine unit?
#4 Will the Citizens Academy pay for the new K-9 unit's cost over the life of the dogs service.
#5 With the dire need for a new K-9 unit how do you find the time to entertain the kids and do public relations instead of making drug busts?
#6 How much has been spent on vet bills?
#7 Wouldn't it be more economical to get a big SUV to drive around than the standard Monte Carlo, I mean with the price of gas and all?
I could go on but why? It just turns my stomach.
City officials budget like crack whores. I know it is provocative but it got your attention.
Crack whores screw people for money, spend more than they make, on a habit they can't kick, and think the payday loan place is a good deal. If that does not work they screw more people.
Please someone have some cajones and stand up for the little taxpayer. Yes, we need to be safe and we need a police department. But the Population of the city has not grown since the Motorola days and yet the police department is about twice the size. Why?
Why Bud Selig Sucks
Jones trade hits a snag over debt
WASHINGTON D.C. -- The New York Daily News, citing unidentified sources, reported that Commissioner Bud Selig nixed the Jacque Jones-to-Florida deal because he did not want the next owner of the Cubs to incur any more debt.That means it will be difficult to trade Jones, who's owed around $7.2 million through 2008 unless the Cubs receive a similar contract in return.
Manager Lou Piniella insists Jones will not have to sit because of his status, though he hasn't started a game since June 20, a span of 11 games."We'll give him an opportunity to get out there," Piniella said. "That's a tough situation. In Jacque's defense, I think he's handled it quite well. I don't know what happened with the trade to Miami and why it didn't go through. All the players I have here play, and he's not going to be the exception."If Selig won't let the Cubs dump Jones while paying the bulk of the freight, they'll also have a difficult time trading anyone who isn't performing well and has a contract that runs past 2007, including Scott Eyre, who has a player option for $3.8 million in '08. Eyre has a limited no-trade clause, meaning he can block a trade to 10 of the 30 teams.A little day offPiniella gave Mike Fontenot a rest on Monday and defended his move during Saturday's game when he switched Fontenot from shortstop to second after he booted the first grounder he fielded, just as he did in Friday's game. Piniella was criticized on ESPN's "Baseball Tonight" for messing with Fontenot's confidence."We didn't want any problems," Piniella said. "He's doing fine at second base. I just gave him the day off today. He's played about 15, 16 days in a row. … Fontenot will be back in there (at second on Tuesday). I wanted to take a look (at him at short)."I was trying to figure out how I could get [Cliff] Floyd, Fontenot and [Mark] DeRosa in the same lineup [Saturday]. That's all I was trying to do, and when I saw that it wasn't right, why compound it by leaving him there? We just switched him and just let him relax and play. He's done a fine, fine job for us."Piniella also rested the struggling Felix Pie, but said Pie isn't in danger of being sent down to Triple-A Iowa."It's a little more dangerous to play a young guy that's struggling rather than sitting him down a while and letting him get the cobwebs out," Piniella said. "A veteran player knows. He's been through it before. He can handle it better."Pitching changeWashington right-hander Tim Redding will start in place of injured lefty Micah Bowie on Tuesday.
Copyright © 2007, Chicago Tribune
WASHINGTON D.C. -- The New York Daily News, citing unidentified sources, reported that Commissioner Bud Selig nixed the Jacque Jones-to-Florida deal because he did not want the next owner of the Cubs to incur any more debt.That means it will be difficult to trade Jones, who's owed around $7.2 million through 2008 unless the Cubs receive a similar contract in return.
Manager Lou Piniella insists Jones will not have to sit because of his status, though he hasn't started a game since June 20, a span of 11 games."We'll give him an opportunity to get out there," Piniella said. "That's a tough situation. In Jacque's defense, I think he's handled it quite well. I don't know what happened with the trade to Miami and why it didn't go through. All the players I have here play, and he's not going to be the exception."If Selig won't let the Cubs dump Jones while paying the bulk of the freight, they'll also have a difficult time trading anyone who isn't performing well and has a contract that runs past 2007, including Scott Eyre, who has a player option for $3.8 million in '08. Eyre has a limited no-trade clause, meaning he can block a trade to 10 of the 30 teams.A little day offPiniella gave Mike Fontenot a rest on Monday and defended his move during Saturday's game when he switched Fontenot from shortstop to second after he booted the first grounder he fielded, just as he did in Friday's game. Piniella was criticized on ESPN's "Baseball Tonight" for messing with Fontenot's confidence."We didn't want any problems," Piniella said. "He's doing fine at second base. I just gave him the day off today. He's played about 15, 16 days in a row. … Fontenot will be back in there (at second on Tuesday). I wanted to take a look (at him at short)."I was trying to figure out how I could get [Cliff] Floyd, Fontenot and [Mark] DeRosa in the same lineup [Saturday]. That's all I was trying to do, and when I saw that it wasn't right, why compound it by leaving him there? We just switched him and just let him relax and play. He's done a fine, fine job for us."Piniella also rested the struggling Felix Pie, but said Pie isn't in danger of being sent down to Triple-A Iowa."It's a little more dangerous to play a young guy that's struggling rather than sitting him down a while and letting him get the cobwebs out," Piniella said. "A veteran player knows. He's been through it before. He can handle it better."Pitching changeWashington right-hander Tim Redding will start in place of injured lefty Micah Bowie on Tuesday.
Copyright © 2007, Chicago Tribune
Friday, June 29, 2007
Park Board Budget
I looked over the budget and it is hard to really tell anything by the way it is broken down. I wish they would split the pro-shop at Westview off to it's own entity so you could see how it is being run. It is hard to see where the problems are developing.
Other things of note....outside of payroll..the biggest expenditure is INSURANCE. Cason, Huff and Schlueter has that game wrapped up to the tune of $183,407 I am not sure what kind of commission they make but I can't imagine is more than 5-10% so no real scam there.
Health insurance paid to Health Alliance $25,589 only question I have here is what portion of the premium do the employees pay and how many are on the health plan.
AFLAC they pay that damn Duck some money why I don't know.
Why they pay the Illinois State Police $2500? anybody?
Klingner get their fingers in he pocket book for over $20 Gs what for?
And why they would have $14,856 in attorney's fees to Hooty and Rapp is beyond me. again anybody?
The debt scares me a little..
I am trying to figure out how to add pictures to these posts. But because I am a computer illiterate I don't know. Itried it and it just is not working for me.
Oh I almost forgot Mast, Keck and Barnes with the most relatives on the payroll.
Other things of note....outside of payroll..the biggest expenditure is INSURANCE. Cason, Huff and Schlueter has that game wrapped up to the tune of $183,407 I am not sure what kind of commission they make but I can't imagine is more than 5-10% so no real scam there.
Health insurance paid to Health Alliance $25,589 only question I have here is what portion of the premium do the employees pay and how many are on the health plan.
AFLAC they pay that damn Duck some money why I don't know.
Why they pay the Illinois State Police $2500? anybody?
Klingner get their fingers in he pocket book for over $20 Gs what for?
And why they would have $14,856 in attorney's fees to Hooty and Rapp is beyond me. again anybody?
The debt scares me a little..
I am trying to figure out how to add pictures to these posts. But because I am a computer illiterate I don't know. Itried it and it just is not working for me.
Oh I almost forgot Mast, Keck and Barnes with the most relatives on the payroll.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Noise Ordinance
No Rodney, I am not picking on you, and I know you have posted on my blog as an anon and that is fine.
Farha brings up an issue that needs some attention, I have read a few posts on this topic before. THE NOISE ORDINANCE or lack there of.
Maybe ABC/UMR could shed some light on this for me?
What is unnecessary anyway? Open to much interpretation isn't it?
We were wondering what kind of calls Farha was getting so we purchased another MicroMini Spy Bug V3.0, this time we had it equipped so that it would be activated whenever the phone rings, and had installed in Farha's kitchen. We were able to do this under the guise of homeland security and the Patriot Act. I will assure you we will get the warrant later.
Call 1
Farha residence.......yes this is he.........really? well did you get the license plate number?.......... Oh I see, yes I know getting around with a walker can be cumbersome. Well next time, if you will sit next to the window you will get it. .....
What's that? .........No the police are to busy doing speed enforcement on Broadway....... Yes, well the fine for a noise violation is as little as $5 so it just does not make economic sense to enforce it......You say that would be the first time that the city was worried about the police doing something economical......Yes, well I guess I could ask for everybody to take some civic pride and follow the rules......Okay well let me know if I can help in anyway.....Ok..uhuh..byebye now.
Call 2
Farha residence.....Yes....Oh you got the license number?.......No but you got a description of the perpetrator's vehicle...... Big motorcycle yes I got it.......really big back wheel........short driver.....looks like who?....the guy that used to own O'Griff's, I see. Well ma'am some of those motorcycles are just made to be loud. No I don't think they have ever written a citation for a loud chopper. Normally they write them to the miscreants that play their music to loud. Yes I know that the loud music can only be heard for a couple of blocks but some of these choppers can be heard for a mile. But you have to understand that the people that drive these bikes have more money and we can't write them tickets because some of the police officers just love these bikes. And the ordinance is written so the officer has full discretion and what he or she deems as an unnecessary noise may be different than what you do......yes I know but I can't just write a new ordinance that makes sense, that would require too much work and we gotta figure out this whole beer garden thing right now......Hello...hello..Hmm?
Farha brings up an issue that needs some attention, I have read a few posts on this topic before. THE NOISE ORDINANCE or lack there of.
Maybe ABC/UMR could shed some light on this for me?
What is unnecessary anyway? Open to much interpretation isn't it?
We were wondering what kind of calls Farha was getting so we purchased another MicroMini Spy Bug V3.0, this time we had it equipped so that it would be activated whenever the phone rings, and had installed in Farha's kitchen. We were able to do this under the guise of homeland security and the Patriot Act. I will assure you we will get the warrant later.
Call 1
Farha residence.......yes this is he.........really? well did you get the license plate number?.......... Oh I see, yes I know getting around with a walker can be cumbersome. Well next time, if you will sit next to the window you will get it. .....
What's that? .........No the police are to busy doing speed enforcement on Broadway....... Yes, well the fine for a noise violation is as little as $5 so it just does not make economic sense to enforce it......You say that would be the first time that the city was worried about the police doing something economical......Yes, well I guess I could ask for everybody to take some civic pride and follow the rules......Okay well let me know if I can help in anyway.....Ok..uhuh..byebye now.
Call 2
Farha residence.....Yes....Oh you got the license number?.......No but you got a description of the perpetrator's vehicle...... Big motorcycle yes I got it.......really big back wheel........short driver.....looks like who?....the guy that used to own O'Griff's, I see. Well ma'am some of those motorcycles are just made to be loud. No I don't think they have ever written a citation for a loud chopper. Normally they write them to the miscreants that play their music to loud. Yes I know that the loud music can only be heard for a couple of blocks but some of these choppers can be heard for a mile. But you have to understand that the people that drive these bikes have more money and we can't write them tickets because some of the police officers just love these bikes. And the ordinance is written so the officer has full discretion and what he or she deems as an unnecessary noise may be different than what you do......yes I know but I can't just write a new ordinance that makes sense, that would require too much work and we gotta figure out this whole beer garden thing right now......Hello...hello..Hmm?
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
We thought our transmitter was going bad on our MicroMini Spy Bug V3.0 - model: MMSB-3 super secret microphones. So in addition to the Micro-mini Voice Recognition Identification Technology installed inside of Doug Wilson's Moustache, we also installated an amplifier and power booster. We did this by intertwining the highly sophitcated linear power booster in the underwire support of Doug's brassiere. But come to find out the equipment was working fine, there just wasn't much news today.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
QPD Fund Poncherello and Jon
Tookie looked at this story and I am sure he smelled a rat as soon as he saw the city council agenda. What a huge waste of time and money.
Once again we had our clandestined MicroMini Spy Bug V3.0 - model: MMSB-3 super secret microphones on during this morning's news meeting, this is where the crack reporters decide what should be spoon-fed to the readers. We have also installed a Micro-mini Voice Recognition Identification Technology inside of Doug Wilson's Moustache, this way we can decode who is saying what....
This is a transcript...when you read this imagine Don's voice as Mr. Peterman, Elaine's boss on Seinfeld.
Don Crimm "Reaper": Alright knock off the crap we gotta paper to put out. Anybody have any ideas?
Dave Adam: Well we could do a story on how Doug Bruner is..
DCR: David I told you we had a moratorium on Bruner stories.
David: But..
DCR: NO!
David: Well how bout (phone ringing) hang on I'll get it!
David: Adam here...no, David....I don't know why I have two first names..who is this and what do you want? oh okay..let me put you on hold. Donnie it's Rob Copley he wants to make sure Rodney has the story right.
DCR: This is Don, yes sir Chief sir, no sir. No, no mention of this being a waste of taxpayer money. Yes we made sure we talked about the positive aspects of the program...But maybe you can refresh my memory..what makes this a good program? Oh that's right they look cool and we can use them in parades....We'll make that sound good for you..
What's that...yes we used the quote "at a crossroads" and took out the one about a deadend..is that okay?
Sure...no not a problem..yes you too..Roly Poly at noon sure! I will.. bye.
Rodney!!!!
Funion: Yes Don..
DCR: Did you finish that Motorcycle story?
Funion: yes
DCR: Let me see it..thanks...hmm uhuh...well mmm. oh nice, very good work Rodney. But let's change the headline and takeout the phrase "Bringing out of moth balls" and change that to "Kick-start".That sounds better wouldn't you all agree.
Staff: oh yes sounds great(backslapping or high fives)
DCR: What else do we have?
Kelly: Well we have a story about Fat out of shape firefighters....
DCR: Well we can't say that how about wellness or shaping up
Kelly: Well they have this deal set up with QMG..
DCR: Good QMG...make sure you use them in the story,,uhuh QMG good...go on..
Kelly: So the firefighters get access to a personal trainer and they get evaluated by a doctor to see if the are physically fit.
DCR: Why don't they just give them the same fitness test the applicants take?
Kelly: Um ...But ...QMG and you said..
DCR: Oh yes I forgot QMG good.. yes well forget about the fitness test thing.How can we make this a feel good story instead of a story that sounds like spending more money on firefighter benefits.
Anyway you get the idea..Now it's my turn...these firefighters should stay in shape on their own and I know most of them are. This sounds like a way for the Walker not to have a confrontation with his doughboy crew. Walker, have a spine and tell your 3 or 4 cookie monsters to get in shape. They have a pretty good schedule and probably already have some sort of discount program for a local gym, plus I am sure they have some workout equipment at the station. Get these guys on a treadmill before they have a heart attack at the scene of a fire.
Every time I see these stories about what I feel is a waste of money I just see my taxes getting higher and higher. Please someone at city hall put your foot down and say no. What is it going to take for alderman and the mayor or anyone that has a budget to start some axing on this kind of crap. It all adds up!
Once again we had our clandestined MicroMini Spy Bug V3.0 - model: MMSB-3 super secret microphones on during this morning's news meeting, this is where the crack reporters decide what should be spoon-fed to the readers. We have also installed a Micro-mini Voice Recognition Identification Technology inside of Doug Wilson's Moustache, this way we can decode who is saying what....
This is a transcript...when you read this imagine Don's voice as Mr. Peterman, Elaine's boss on Seinfeld.
Don Crimm "Reaper": Alright knock off the crap we gotta paper to put out. Anybody have any ideas?
Dave Adam: Well we could do a story on how Doug Bruner is..
DCR: David I told you we had a moratorium on Bruner stories.
David: But..
DCR: NO!
David: Well how bout (phone ringing) hang on I'll get it!
David: Adam here...no, David....I don't know why I have two first names..who is this and what do you want? oh okay..let me put you on hold. Donnie it's Rob Copley he wants to make sure Rodney has the story right.
DCR: This is Don, yes sir Chief sir, no sir. No, no mention of this being a waste of taxpayer money. Yes we made sure we talked about the positive aspects of the program...But maybe you can refresh my memory..what makes this a good program? Oh that's right they look cool and we can use them in parades....We'll make that sound good for you..
What's that...yes we used the quote "at a crossroads" and took out the one about a deadend..is that okay?
Sure...no not a problem..yes you too..Roly Poly at noon sure! I will.. bye.
Rodney!!!!
Funion: Yes Don..
DCR: Did you finish that Motorcycle story?
Funion: yes
DCR: Let me see it..thanks...hmm uhuh...well mmm. oh nice, very good work Rodney. But let's change the headline and takeout the phrase "Bringing out of moth balls" and change that to "Kick-start".That sounds better wouldn't you all agree.
Staff: oh yes sounds great(backslapping or high fives)
DCR: What else do we have?
Kelly: Well we have a story about Fat out of shape firefighters....
DCR: Well we can't say that how about wellness or shaping up
Kelly: Well they have this deal set up with QMG..
DCR: Good QMG...make sure you use them in the story,,uhuh QMG good...go on..
Kelly: So the firefighters get access to a personal trainer and they get evaluated by a doctor to see if the are physically fit.
DCR: Why don't they just give them the same fitness test the applicants take?
Kelly: Um ...But ...QMG and you said..
DCR: Oh yes I forgot QMG good.. yes well forget about the fitness test thing.How can we make this a feel good story instead of a story that sounds like spending more money on firefighter benefits.
Anyway you get the idea..Now it's my turn...these firefighters should stay in shape on their own and I know most of them are. This sounds like a way for the Walker not to have a confrontation with his doughboy crew. Walker, have a spine and tell your 3 or 4 cookie monsters to get in shape. They have a pretty good schedule and probably already have some sort of discount program for a local gym, plus I am sure they have some workout equipment at the station. Get these guys on a treadmill before they have a heart attack at the scene of a fire.
Every time I see these stories about what I feel is a waste of money I just see my taxes getting higher and higher. Please someone at city hall put your foot down and say no. What is it going to take for alderman and the mayor or anyone that has a budget to start some axing on this kind of crap. It all adds up!
Monday, June 25, 2007
Cracks, DenTax and Page 4D
CraCKS
Uncle Eddie
So the questions that I wanted answered that were not,are.....
Who owns the property referenced in the phone call?
Did the request get expedited because of their employment with the city?
and give a timeline of that case and another one to prove the point.
Dental Clininc(dentax)
Kelly Wilson
Nice set of stats listed on the right, once again it tells me everything but what I wanted to know...
What is their total budget?
How much does this cost each taxpayer that actually pays income tax?
How is the clinic funded?
But my experience with the dentist, is like this,it is about $200 per visit. That is if nothing is wrong.
So the place has about 10,000 visits at a minimum of $200
Or Let's break it down based on figures from the stats and average costs from http://www.bracesinfo.com/dentalcosts/
Diagnostics(Xrays?) 8671 x $100= $867,100
Preventive 7922 x $50= $396,100
Restorative 6220 x $600=$3,732,000
Root Canal 637 x $376= $239,512
Oral Surgery 3772 x $800= $3,017,600
Orthodontic 207 x $4712= $975,384
Total services $9,227,696
Now we all know there is no way that we the taxpayers would support such an extreme cost. But we do not know what the cost is to you and me because that is a dirty little secret and this is a feel good story about how much good this free(?) clinic is providing. I cant imagine that it would cost that much to support this dental clinic but again we don't know. Do the dentists volunteer? So many questions....
So while you pay your way to the dentist through insurance or out of your own pocket, you are also paying for another's dental work to the tune of about $1000 per patient per year.
Oh and I am sure the income guidelines will go up as the minimum wage goes up...I could go on but this stuff just makes my blood boil.
Oh yes page 4D
Kudos to the H-W Photo Steve Bohnestedt
I don't know where he found Scyler Engel running but that was much better than the recipes and the farmer's wife on the back page. Guys no wedding ring on that finger either...
That's hot and I hear she is smart too, but who cares?
City Council Follies Commentary Tomorrow...
Uncle Eddie
So the questions that I wanted answered that were not,are.....
Who owns the property referenced in the phone call?
Did the request get expedited because of their employment with the city?
and give a timeline of that case and another one to prove the point.
Dental Clininc(dentax)
Kelly Wilson
Nice set of stats listed on the right, once again it tells me everything but what I wanted to know...
What is their total budget?
How much does this cost each taxpayer that actually pays income tax?
How is the clinic funded?
But my experience with the dentist, is like this,it is about $200 per visit. That is if nothing is wrong.
So the place has about 10,000 visits at a minimum of $200
Or Let's break it down based on figures from the stats and average costs from http://www.bracesinfo.com/dentalcosts/
Diagnostics(Xrays?) 8671 x $100= $867,100
Preventive 7922 x $50= $396,100
Restorative 6220 x $600=$3,732,000
Root Canal 637 x $376= $239,512
Oral Surgery 3772 x $800= $3,017,600
Orthodontic 207 x $4712= $975,384
Total services $9,227,696
Now we all know there is no way that we the taxpayers would support such an extreme cost. But we do not know what the cost is to you and me because that is a dirty little secret and this is a feel good story about how much good this free(?) clinic is providing. I cant imagine that it would cost that much to support this dental clinic but again we don't know. Do the dentists volunteer? So many questions....
So while you pay your way to the dentist through insurance or out of your own pocket, you are also paying for another's dental work to the tune of about $1000 per patient per year.
Oh and I am sure the income guidelines will go up as the minimum wage goes up...I could go on but this stuff just makes my blood boil.
Oh yes page 4D
Kudos to the H-W Photo Steve Bohnestedt
I don't know where he found Scyler Engel running but that was much better than the recipes and the farmer's wife on the back page. Guys no wedding ring on that finger either...
That's hot and I hear she is smart too, but who cares?
City Council Follies Commentary Tomorrow...
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Friday news Nothuin'
No news on Friday Or Saturday worth my time, so yes another cotton ball or whatever they were calling it.
Sunday nothn',
I guess we will have to wait until Monday's City Council Meeting for another round of incoherent, inconsistant ideas for us to lay to waste.
ey my ideas are not always the best but they make a hell of a lot more sense than most of the stuff from city hall.
And Tony I do like that you are not afraid to express your thoughts openly it helps me understand the thought process that takes place in the ivory tower that is City Guvment.
Sunday nothn',
I guess we will have to wait until Monday's City Council Meeting for another round of incoherent, inconsistant ideas for us to lay to waste.
ey my ideas are not always the best but they make a hell of a lot more sense than most of the stuff from city hall.
And Tony I do like that you are not afraid to express your thoughts openly it helps me understand the thought process that takes place in the ivory tower that is City Guvment.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Rules For Beer Gardens
I understand the need for rules, ordinances and all that utter mutter jazz.
However this a town with a rich German Heritage I am surprised that the city did not have a regulation on the books from the early 1900's about Bier Gartens.
We have a couple of issues at hand, one is Rules for the beer gardens(noise ordinance) and the other is interpreting the smoking law, or smoking ban.
Let's tackle the no smoking in workplaces issue first.
From the Whig
For example, Quincy Police Chief Rob Copley has a more conservative interpretation of the state law. "As I read this, this does not allow for smoking in beer gardens," he said during Wednesday's meeting in the council chambers at City Hall.
Copley argues that a beer garden would still be regarded as a "work place," and as such it would be off-limits to smoking.But copely shows his true feelings, which have nothing to do with workers safety, in his next sentence.Copley said he cautions Quincy officials against allowing a tavern to have "an uncontrolled party place" such as this.
"I don't think we should allow that," he said. "That is the recipe for nothing but trouble."
Next he'll be in my fridge taking my beer because I'm in an uncontrolled party place.
Now, now Robbie let's not take things to extremes...the law was written so there would be a little wiggle room as with most laws.
For instance smoking in a police car, that never happens, right....
But if you interpret it the Chief's way you would really be banning smoking from everywhere. Yes everywhere, hear me out on this; So if I have a cleaning crew like Merry Maids contracted to clean my house, then I can't smoke in my house. If I have Lawn Solutions contracted to spray my yard then I can't smoke in my yard. I can't smoke in my car because we have road crews that work on the roads. I can't smoke in my boat on the river because we have the Corp and River Rangers out there.
I believe the tavern owners are trying to operate in good faith by opening these Beer Gardens, if they don't have waitress service out in the Beer Garden and people will throw their own trash away, I don't see how you can deny them the Beer Garden based on the smoking ban.
However the noise issue that is another story.
The city has several business that operate outdoor dining areas and I don't believe that it has ever been an issue.
Tower of Pizza has roof and serves alcohol and is open until midnite. But it is a business district zoned for that kind of use I assume (ass-u-me)
Sprouts has an outdoor eating area and I think they serve beer.
No problems?
TCBY has a place to sit outside and is similarly zoned as Uncle Bob's.
No problems?
The Dock has outdoor seating, granted it is very secluded.
The cities noise ordinance is weak at best it leaves just about everything up to the discretion of the officer issuing the ticket. There are no decibel levels listed. for instance you get pulled over by one of Quincy's finest, for a noisey muffler, that you just had installed. The muffler is operating as it was manufactured, it's just too loud by his standards. Yet we can have a Harley that is louder than any car and no tickets.
Let them have the Beer Gardens open until midnite in Friday and Saturday, and 10pm and weekdays. The bars close at 1 am anyway, so the smokers will have to chew some nicorette for an hour.
Chief Copely please don't turn into Barney Fife and start arresting people for Jay-walking, Barney was funny but we knew that Andy was the brains.
However this a town with a rich German Heritage I am surprised that the city did not have a regulation on the books from the early 1900's about Bier Gartens.
We have a couple of issues at hand, one is Rules for the beer gardens(noise ordinance) and the other is interpreting the smoking law, or smoking ban.
Let's tackle the no smoking in workplaces issue first.
From the Whig
For example, Quincy Police Chief Rob Copley has a more conservative interpretation of the state law. "As I read this, this does not allow for smoking in beer gardens," he said during Wednesday's meeting in the council chambers at City Hall.
Copley argues that a beer garden would still be regarded as a "work place," and as such it would be off-limits to smoking.But copely shows his true feelings, which have nothing to do with workers safety, in his next sentence.Copley said he cautions Quincy officials against allowing a tavern to have "an uncontrolled party place" such as this.
"I don't think we should allow that," he said. "That is the recipe for nothing but trouble."
Next he'll be in my fridge taking my beer because I'm in an uncontrolled party place.
Now, now Robbie let's not take things to extremes...the law was written so there would be a little wiggle room as with most laws.
For instance smoking in a police car, that never happens, right....
But if you interpret it the Chief's way you would really be banning smoking from everywhere. Yes everywhere, hear me out on this; So if I have a cleaning crew like Merry Maids contracted to clean my house, then I can't smoke in my house. If I have Lawn Solutions contracted to spray my yard then I can't smoke in my yard. I can't smoke in my car because we have road crews that work on the roads. I can't smoke in my boat on the river because we have the Corp and River Rangers out there.
I believe the tavern owners are trying to operate in good faith by opening these Beer Gardens, if they don't have waitress service out in the Beer Garden and people will throw their own trash away, I don't see how you can deny them the Beer Garden based on the smoking ban.
However the noise issue that is another story.
The city has several business that operate outdoor dining areas and I don't believe that it has ever been an issue.
Tower of Pizza has roof and serves alcohol and is open until midnite. But it is a business district zoned for that kind of use I assume (ass-u-me)
Sprouts has an outdoor eating area and I think they serve beer.
No problems?
TCBY has a place to sit outside and is similarly zoned as Uncle Bob's.
No problems?
The Dock has outdoor seating, granted it is very secluded.
The cities noise ordinance is weak at best it leaves just about everything up to the discretion of the officer issuing the ticket. There are no decibel levels listed. for instance you get pulled over by one of Quincy's finest, for a noisey muffler, that you just had installed. The muffler is operating as it was manufactured, it's just too loud by his standards. Yet we can have a Harley that is louder than any car and no tickets.
Let them have the Beer Gardens open until midnite in Friday and Saturday, and 10pm and weekdays. The bars close at 1 am anyway, so the smokers will have to chew some nicorette for an hour.
Chief Copely please don't turn into Barney Fife and start arresting people for Jay-walking, Barney was funny but we knew that Andy was the brains.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
School District expects to meet expenses
From The Whig
"We've got our fingers crossed," Chairman Bill Daniels said after a Finance Committee meeting Tuesday.
Now there's a great business plan, cross your fingers WTF!!!!
In May, the district transferred $1.55 million from the working cash fund to the education fund. The transfer will go before the board tonight for approval.
So you transfer the money then you ask for approval sounds a little backwards again WTF!!
Approximately $800,000 is on hand for the work, but the rest will require a short-term loan. The district proposes borrowing $2.96 million for the projects that include sandblasting and repainting the walls in the Quincy High School gym, replacing the roof at Quincy Junior High, replacing the roof and air handlers at the Early Childhood Center and resurfacing the parking lot at Flinn Stadium. The loan would be repaid Dec. 1, 2008, with its 2007 levy.
Suggestions: Put off the sandblasting and panting of the walls inside the gym until you have the money to do it.
Is the roof leaking at Junior High? Can It be patched or repaired instead of replaced?
Will replacing the roof air handlers save on utilities? are they not working now?
Can the parking lot at Flinn Stadium be patched or repaired instead of replaced? I'll drive out there and see how bad it is....
Questions that should be asked but nobody including myself will take the time to go to a school board meeting.
By the way what happened to the company that was going to save the schools all of this money on their utilities?
"We've got our fingers crossed," Chairman Bill Daniels said after a Finance Committee meeting Tuesday.
Now there's a great business plan, cross your fingers WTF!!!!
In May, the district transferred $1.55 million from the working cash fund to the education fund. The transfer will go before the board tonight for approval.
So you transfer the money then you ask for approval sounds a little backwards again WTF!!
Approximately $800,000 is on hand for the work, but the rest will require a short-term loan. The district proposes borrowing $2.96 million for the projects that include sandblasting and repainting the walls in the Quincy High School gym, replacing the roof at Quincy Junior High, replacing the roof and air handlers at the Early Childhood Center and resurfacing the parking lot at Flinn Stadium. The loan would be repaid Dec. 1, 2008, with its 2007 levy.
Suggestions: Put off the sandblasting and panting of the walls inside the gym until you have the money to do it.
Is the roof leaking at Junior High? Can It be patched or repaired instead of replaced?
Will replacing the roof air handlers save on utilities? are they not working now?
Can the parking lot at Flinn Stadium be patched or repaired instead of replaced? I'll drive out there and see how bad it is....
Questions that should be asked but nobody including myself will take the time to go to a school board meeting.
By the way what happened to the company that was going to save the schools all of this money on their utilities?
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
I may have to change this blog
I may change the name of this blog to
The Quincy Watchdog..
Beating up on the paper and 7 and 10 is too easy.
The Quincy Watchdog..
Beating up on the paper and 7 and 10 is too easy.
No News Tuesday
Bentler sentencing is all they could come up with Today on all outlets.
But the sentencing story could have been written the day of the verdict. Below is an excerpt from the Whig, that basically says the sentencing was a done deal long ago. Why the judge had to wait I am not sure unless it was to allow the victim impact statements to be written by the family members. The story was full of emotion but you wouldn't know it from the headline."Bentler Gets life Without Parole"
Mullins had no option under Iowa law other than to sentence Bentler to life in prison without parole for first-degree murder, a Class A felony. The only question was whether Bentler would serve the life sentences at the same time or consecutively.
By the way what is a "Class A felony" and who cares what class the felony was. It was a heinous crime and is one worthy of the death penalty.
I think a better headline would have been..
Iowa Has No Death Penalty
or
Family Begs Shawn To Admit Guilt
What to do? Not much more to say about the news today. Little Peep's Golf Touney, 800 people having fun, spending money in little Qtown. Life's Good!
I guess we will just wait for the city to pull another bonehead move before we get a good steam coming out of my ears.
But the sentencing story could have been written the day of the verdict. Below is an excerpt from the Whig, that basically says the sentencing was a done deal long ago. Why the judge had to wait I am not sure unless it was to allow the victim impact statements to be written by the family members. The story was full of emotion but you wouldn't know it from the headline."Bentler Gets life Without Parole"
Mullins had no option under Iowa law other than to sentence Bentler to life in prison without parole for first-degree murder, a Class A felony. The only question was whether Bentler would serve the life sentences at the same time or consecutively.
By the way what is a "Class A felony" and who cares what class the felony was. It was a heinous crime and is one worthy of the death penalty.
I think a better headline would have been..
Iowa Has No Death Penalty
or
Family Begs Shawn To Admit Guilt
What to do? Not much more to say about the news today. Little Peep's Golf Touney, 800 people having fun, spending money in little Qtown. Life's Good!
I guess we will just wait for the city to pull another bonehead move before we get a good steam coming out of my ears.
Check Back 2nite for next report
I'll hafta wait for the paper person to deliver and then I'll watch the 6 on 10 and 7 and then I'll give you my analysis. I guess updating my blog more regularly than any other is not worthy of a link. But half of the other blogs are defunct or devoid of real debate. I think I'll just insult some people, that'll be sure to stir some debate.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Marty Stegeman Fluff
Quincy News Critics recently installed a hidden microphone in the Harold Wigs newsroom....this is what we heard....
Well what should we put in the paper today?(inaudible something about Ed and Deb's weekend)
Female voice: I have an idea lets put some recipes on the back page and interview a farmer's wife. That surely will bring in some new subscriptions.
Male Voice: Great idea let's do it!!!!
Male/Female Voice: (or male with no balls) How about we interview Marty Stegeman about his new job, we could ask him how he likes his new job and what his goals are then we could sit down with him and have a nice glass of lemonade.
Male Voice; Great Idea lets do it!!!! That'll be our front page story we'll make him look like a real go-getter, that will get the public off of the Mayor's butt on his hiring practices.
Anyway you get the idea. I read the piece on Marty Stegeman and I still can't get over the lack of real questioning this hire has gotten. He has absolutely none, zero, zilch qualifications or credentials for this job. This hire is so out of whack, I would say it is like hiring OJ Simpson as surgeon. Marty must be a nice guy but this does not make sense. So he has to learn on the job, now that is okay but you could have hired in somebody that is right out of high school pay them less and train them on the job. They would have the same qualifications. yes I know Marty ahs a college degree but in the wrong field. I would be curious to see the other candidates resumes. In the Wig Marty S. says this is basically a marketing job. So why didn't we hire a marketing guy or gal to do the job. The qualifications on the job posting probably stopped people much more qualified from even applying. The posting for this job probably should have said something like this......
Airport Manager
Quincy Regional Airport
We are looking for someone
that has ridden on an airplane.
The applicant must know what an airplane looks like.
The applicant must not know what a glide slope or a tacan or what NOTAMS are.
If you meet these qualifications and can kiss a little ass you are just the right person for this job.
Please send your Resume or lack of one
City of Kwincy
Dept of Ineptness
PO Box 1
Kwincy, IL 62301
PS: To the Asshats make comments about the lack of a posting over the weekend. Unlike you, that have nothing better to do than sit around and prowl the blog sites with the gusto, much like that of someone featured on a Chris Hanson NBC special, I have a life. So to Tookie and the rest don't mess with the best. Until you can make some insightful, thoughtful entries on your own blog, Keep your cake hole shut!!!!
Well what should we put in the paper today?(inaudible something about Ed and Deb's weekend)
Female voice: I have an idea lets put some recipes on the back page and interview a farmer's wife. That surely will bring in some new subscriptions.
Male Voice: Great idea let's do it!!!!
Male/Female Voice: (or male with no balls) How about we interview Marty Stegeman about his new job, we could ask him how he likes his new job and what his goals are then we could sit down with him and have a nice glass of lemonade.
Male Voice; Great Idea lets do it!!!! That'll be our front page story we'll make him look like a real go-getter, that will get the public off of the Mayor's butt on his hiring practices.
Anyway you get the idea. I read the piece on Marty Stegeman and I still can't get over the lack of real questioning this hire has gotten. He has absolutely none, zero, zilch qualifications or credentials for this job. This hire is so out of whack, I would say it is like hiring OJ Simpson as surgeon. Marty must be a nice guy but this does not make sense. So he has to learn on the job, now that is okay but you could have hired in somebody that is right out of high school pay them less and train them on the job. They would have the same qualifications. yes I know Marty ahs a college degree but in the wrong field. I would be curious to see the other candidates resumes. In the Wig Marty S. says this is basically a marketing job. So why didn't we hire a marketing guy or gal to do the job. The qualifications on the job posting probably stopped people much more qualified from even applying. The posting for this job probably should have said something like this......
Airport Manager
Quincy Regional Airport
We are looking for someone
that has ridden on an airplane.
The applicant must know what an airplane looks like.
The applicant must not know what a glide slope or a tacan or what NOTAMS are.
If you meet these qualifications and can kiss a little ass you are just the right person for this job.
Please send your Resume or lack of one
City of Kwincy
Dept of Ineptness
PO Box 1
Kwincy, IL 62301
PS: To the Asshats make comments about the lack of a posting over the weekend. Unlike you, that have nothing better to do than sit around and prowl the blog sites with the gusto, much like that of someone featured on a Chris Hanson NBC special, I have a life. So to Tookie and the rest don't mess with the best. Until you can make some insightful, thoughtful entries on your own blog, Keep your cake hole shut!!!!
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Friday's News Content
Not much content today in the paper or on the tube. A whole 2 local stories in the first section of the paper.
I like reading the whig but I wish they would do some interviews, of local and regional leaders. And print the interview instead of turning everything in to a story. They have some talent when it comes to story telling. But story telling always lends it hand to the writers view and puts his or her slant on the situation.
I like reading the whig but I wish they would do some interviews, of local and regional leaders. And print the interview instead of turning everything in to a story. They have some talent when it comes to story telling. But story telling always lends it hand to the writers view and puts his or her slant on the situation.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Kwincy Harold Wig June 14th 2007
Today’s misleading headline by Doug Wilson.
Amtrak
Expansion
Proving
Profitable
Can you really take this seriously anyone that remotely follows the news can tell you that Amtrak is anything but profitable.
Let's face facts. Amtrak, like every other public transportation and railroad system in the world, is and always will be chronically unprofitable.
Lending Amtrak money does not help Amtrak; it harms it. Amtrak needs a loan like an alcoholic needs a bottle of booze - the more money it borrows, the harder it is to ever become profitable.
Amtrak is a quasi-governmental agency; all of its preferred stock is owned by the federal government. Amtrak employs over 19,000 people. The nationwide network of 22,000 miles (35,000 km) of routes serves 500 communities in 46 states of the United States with some of the routes serving communities in Canada. In fiscal year 2006, Amtrak served an estimated 25 million passengers, a company record WTF Canada?
Amtrak always wants to let you know that they have taken on no new debt in the last five years and that their debt has been reduced by $400 million.
What they don’t want you to know is
Amtrak is currently funded through a continuing resolution
as the 109th Congress failed to pass an appropriations bill for FY2007; the resolution
provides approximately14% less than Amtrak was receiving in FY2006. InFY2006,
Congress appropriated $1.315 billion for Amtrak
Amtrak's fiscal 2006 passenger revenue reached a record $1.37 billion, and more than half of that revenue came from the tracks that run between Washington and Boston.
Amtrak says 24.3 million passengers rode its rails in fiscal 2006, up 1 percent from fiscal 2005.This is like a word problem from high school…using the information in the two paragraphs above…How much does it cost for each passenger?
(T+ R) divided by P = CPP
Whereas T= your TAX dollars or appropriations, R = revenue or ticket sales,
P= passengers, CPP =cost per passenger
(1,315,000,000 + 1,370,000,000)=2,685,000,000 divided by 24,300,000
$110 per passenger
Right now you can buy a ticket from KC to Chicago for next to nothing
316 Kansas City Mule Kansas City, MO(KCY) $17.40. This why they are not profitable!
Amtrak
Expansion
Proving
Profitable
Can you really take this seriously anyone that remotely follows the news can tell you that Amtrak is anything but profitable.
Let's face facts. Amtrak, like every other public transportation and railroad system in the world, is and always will be chronically unprofitable.
Lending Amtrak money does not help Amtrak; it harms it. Amtrak needs a loan like an alcoholic needs a bottle of booze - the more money it borrows, the harder it is to ever become profitable.
Amtrak is a quasi-governmental agency; all of its preferred stock is owned by the federal government. Amtrak employs over 19,000 people. The nationwide network of 22,000 miles (35,000 km) of routes serves 500 communities in 46 states of the United States with some of the routes serving communities in Canada. In fiscal year 2006, Amtrak served an estimated 25 million passengers, a company record WTF Canada?
Amtrak always wants to let you know that they have taken on no new debt in the last five years and that their debt has been reduced by $400 million.
What they don’t want you to know is
Amtrak is currently funded through a continuing resolution
as the 109th Congress failed to pass an appropriations bill for FY2007; the resolution
provides approximately14% less than Amtrak was receiving in FY2006. InFY2006,
Congress appropriated $1.315 billion for Amtrak
Amtrak's fiscal 2006 passenger revenue reached a record $1.37 billion, and more than half of that revenue came from the tracks that run between Washington and Boston.
Amtrak says 24.3 million passengers rode its rails in fiscal 2006, up 1 percent from fiscal 2005.This is like a word problem from high school…using the information in the two paragraphs above…How much does it cost for each passenger?
(T+ R) divided by P = CPP
Whereas T= your TAX dollars or appropriations, R = revenue or ticket sales,
P= passengers, CPP =cost per passenger
(1,315,000,000 + 1,370,000,000)=2,685,000,000 divided by 24,300,000
$110 per passenger
Right now you can buy a ticket from KC to Chicago for next to nothing
316 Kansas City Mule Kansas City, MO(KCY) $17.40. This why they are not profitable!
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